In Praise of Little Parishes

Saint Pauls' Church Saltspring Island, BC

Of course, small parishes can and do become large parishes. God's will be done.

Little parishes offer spiritual intimacy of a kind that makes for stalwart disciples well-formed in the Catholic Faith. Small parishes have little need for committees, especially liturgy committees. The proper celebration of the Liturgy is the responsibility of the priest. Typically, of course, priests (in the Ordinariate and Extraordinary Form communities) enlist and encourage the help of men and boys as altar servers, and women as members of the altar guild.

Little parishes make possible the common knowledge of individual and family needs. It is immediately known among members of a small parish those who need prayer or practical support such as help getting to Mass. Communion, that is fellowship and interdependence, is keenly felt and known and acted upon in small parishes. Why is this so? Small communities depend on God for their identity and mission. There is little material security to offer distraction, nor is there time for complacency if the community is to participate faithfully in the mission of the Church.

Knowing what needs to be done, and knowing that all hands are needed on deck—small parishes foster initiative. Sure, huge parishes have access to material advantages: perhaps a large parish hall to loan out; financial resources to aid those less fortunate. Small communities may not have huge material resources, but generosity is certainly not lacking. As Mother (now Saint) Teresa replied when asked how she managed to help so many hundreds of thousands of people, she responded that she did so by helping one person at a time. One plus one plus one plus... becomes a multitude.

People in little parishes connect directly with each other and do not rely on a "ministry" or committee of social justice warriors to take care of evangelization and feeding the poor. Concerned people of conscience take direct action, most assuredly and responsibly with the guidance of their pastor because, in small communities where obedience to authority is celebrated, rarely does one think about doing something without the blessing of his or her pastor. No individual nor any committee would imagine an action justifiable which usurps authority that belongs to the Pastor to oversee the Liturgy, for example, and the manner in which it is celebrated. The Pastor, no layman or committee of parishioners, is the steward of the sacred rites. Note—steward, not master. The health of a parish begins and ends with respect for the Mass, for the Mass is none other than the Lord making Himself present on His terms. Our role, if you will, is to offer obedient cooperation with the Lord in service to His people by offering the Mass in a manner that pleases the Lord of Hosts.

If a parish does become large, perhaps it's time to divide that parish, to grow a new community. A community of 150 to 200 generous families offers plenty of stability and resources to serve God for several generations, if not longer, God willing.

With God, all things are possible.

The Church has blossomed from twelve Apostles to billions of Catholics. God, through a small faithful community, can and will draw to Himself those Who seek Truth, Goodness and Beauty. Do not we, as Catholics, have the privilege and obligation to be willing vessels through whom God makes known His Presence? Should not we who have received so much offer our lives in generous service to God and neighbour for the sake of souls? Gratitude pours itself out in generous service for the life of others.